[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF DANIEL WOOLDRIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2024

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Daniel 
Wooldridge, who passed away on August 20, 2024.
  Born on June 5, 1934, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Mr. Wooldridge grew up 
in the foster care system. He was ready to support and provide for his 
foster family from an early age. He sold hot dogs, ran a paper route 
and drove a school bus before he reached 16 years of age.
  Interested in athletics, Mr. Wooldridge attended Lynchburg College 
(now the University of Lynchburg) where he played basketball, soccer 
and baseball. He is a member of the school's athletics Hall of Fame.
  At Lynchburg College, he met his wife Nancy, whom he was married to 
for 65 loving years before her passing in 2020.
  After graduating from Lynchburg College in 1956 and later completing 
graduate coursework from the University of Virginia, Mr. Wooldridge 
pursued a 30-plus year career as a life insurance salesman.
  As an athlete, Mr. Wooldridge played minor league baseball for the 
Salem Pirates and coached baseball and football at William Fleming High 
School in Roanoke. His heart and strong belief in fair play was 
displayed through his time as a referee, officiating college basketball 
games for 23 years, including 13 NCAA postseason tournaments.
  In 1976, Mr. Wooldridge became the very first commissioner of the Old 
Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The athletic league consisted of 
small Division III schools, including his alma mater Lynchburg College. 
He served in this post for 21 years before his retirement.
  Additionally, Mr. Wooldridge was one of two American basketball 
officials at the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games.
  Mr. Wooldridge's service to the Roanoke Valley community cannot be 
overlooked. He served as president of the Salem Rotary Club and Roanoke 
Valley Sports Club, dedicated time as a member of the Roanoke City 
School Board, and contributed as a deacon at Oakland Baptist Church.
  Him and Nancy also founded the Roanoke Valley Fellowship of Christian 
Athletes in 1964. They took great pride in developing student-athletes 
and promoting the Christian faith.
  Mr. Wooldridge is survived by his daughters, Rebecca (Wyatt) Ewell, 
Diane (Rob) Laing, and Sarah Wooldridge; his grandchildren, Rachel 
(Scott) Forrester, Tyler (Erin) Ewell, Alex Ewell, and Daniel Laing; 
his great-grandchildren, Clara, Thomas and Anna Ewell; his sister, 
Martha Smith; his sister-in-law, Katherine Cochran; his nephews, 
Preston (Tonja) Cochran and Neil Smith; his great-niece, Kalei Cochran; 
and cousin, Betty Bailey (Clyde Evely).
  Faced with adversity from an early age, Mr. Wooldridge's story of 
perseverance and success is powerful and inspiring. The legacy he 
leaves behind will be remembered by the sports community and the larger 
Roanoke Valley.

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